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The past year has been eventful in North Carolina. While some folks might wish it was all a bad dream, it brought its shining moments for others.

Here, not ranked in order, are my top Tar Heel happenings for 2009:

National championship for UNC-Chapel Hill men's basketball team.

Roy Williams' bunch dominated the NCAA tournament and pounded Michigan State in the final. What a ride.

Bev Perdue makes history.

North Carolina inaugurated its first female governor. Unfortunately, she's had a tough year in office because of the poor economy and a couple of battles with the courts, losing one (to state Superintendent June Atkinson) and heading for defeat in the second (over release of inmates sentenced to "life" in prison in the 1970s).

On the plus side, she's been more open, accessible and accountable than was her predecessor, Mike Easley.

Speaking of Easley ...

Since leaving office, his reputation has been crushed by investigations of his campaign financing, a lucrative real-estate deal and his wife's high-paying job at N.C. State. He's hired a first-rate criminal-defense attorney, probably for good reason.

Mary Easley deserves her own mention.

The release of N.C. State communications revealed, to no one's surprise, that the governor's office pulled strings to facilitate her hiring at the university. In the aftermath of these disclosures, State's trustees chairman, provost and chancellor all resigned ... and still Mary Easley refused to give up her job. Interim Chancellor James Woodward was forced to eliminate her position, in essence firing her -- embarrassing for everyone.

Grandfather Mountain State Park.

To his credit, Easley signed off on this very favorable deal in 2008. It was finalized this year. The state acquired 2,600 acres of spectacular high country for the bargain price of $12 million.

A deal, or Dell, turned sour.

The computer maker announced it will close its Winston-Salem plant, having never met employment targets. It's an inglorious end to a story that began with big promises just four years ago.

Bank of America survives, and in Charlotte.

On the brink of ruin a year ago, the financial giant took a $45 billion federal bailout, regained its footing and eventually repaid the loan to Uncle Sam. CEO Ken Lewis has to go, but an insider will replace him and keep the headquarters in the Queen City.

More troops are heading to Afghanistan.

President Barack Obama orders a surge, and naturally Marines from Camp Lejeune and soldiers from Fort Bragg will carry their share of the load, leaving families and friends at home.

I-40, slip-sliding away.

Another rock slide in Haywood County buries the great highway, which runs from Wilmington to California. Motorists are diverted to I-26 through Buncombe and Madison counties, adding travel time and traffic for several more months.

John Edwards is buried, too.

Not much is heard anymore from the former senator and presidential candidate, but an ex-friend tells all about the smooth-talking politician's extramarital affair and attempted cover-up in a forthcoming book. One bright spot for Edwards: Tiger Woods is much bigger news.

Out of work, out of money.

That's still the story for too many North Carolinians and for state government. Billions in federal stimulus funding and massive tax hikes forestalled desperate budget-slashing in 2009, but that's not a long-term fix. The governor should dine on a big plate of greens New Year's Day. Maybe that will bring better fortune.

The long dry spell ends.

Just a few months ago, virtually all of North Carolina was in drought, thanks to several years of below-normal precipitation. That turned around in a hurry. A rainy summer and fall was followed by a big December snow in many parts of the state. Look out for more of that during the next three months as a pattern of wet weather continues.

In the meantime, Happy New Year.

Contact Doug Clark at dgclark@news-record.com or 373-7039.